New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-18
STUART ROBSONS NEW PLAY.
COMMENTS ON BROTHER ACTORS.


In a parlor of the 1t. James Hotel overlooking
Broadway, Stuart Robson. the comedian, was found
the other day by visitor. lie had just returned
from rehearsal but not tov weary to chat
pleasantly, not much OF himself o! other people
and Other things " We have been rehearsing." said
he. from 10 to 5, and though do not have very
much to do and feel, indeed though were hardly
earning my keep l find that standing about and
watching other people work is quite exhausting
enough for my delicate constitution There were not
many signs OF delicacy apparent Mr. Robson as he
made this ingenious remark, TOR he was as brown and
su1burned "A a Cape Cod fisherman, whe it was evil
dent that the summers rest he has been enjoying had
added few ounces at least to his weight. lie com
mented on this tact himself with somewhat rueful
~ hardly look" sad he, "as il could play q
Berthe do and yet that 10 what the hard hearted
Mr.. Howard has doomed me TO in the new piece. L
afraid my sylph-ike form will show 70 startling
advantage when don a cufaway coat, a, snail have
to- But a. il is all in the interests OF art suppose
must smile aud smile and play as yllianously as |
know now. However, let ne speak little seriously
about Mr.. Towards play My only uneasIness arises
from the that all think well OF IT. though
hope that the ridiculous superstition about ACTORS De-
ing invariably wrong in their Judgment OF piece is
well nigh exploded. 1t seems to me that an actor
should know something about matters with which
hs whole lite is concerned Whatever the critics and
the public may say. think they will have 10 admit
when they Mr. Towards work that 1t IS an artistic
play. had heard OF the careiuuess OF his work. but
when | the practical illustration OF it was
amazed. We have gwen way to him entirely at re-
heIrsal aud well satisfied with ourselves Tor
having done Before he comes to tne theatre he
has thought out every little BIT OF business and the
reading OF every sentence. there IL no experiment
M and nothing is lett to chs nee while he - psent
and courteous in his treatment of the actors to de-
gree"
Mr. Rob then cbatted of other matters aud
among them tbs oPen-air performance OF AS lou
Like IL y which was given during the summer at Man
chester on lhe-Sel " disagreed Sid he, " Win
some OF my fellow actors and many OF our kindly and
goCd-natured critics as N the artistic value OF tins
performance. IL seemed to ne that there was want
OF harmony necessary and insdperaole bet ween onr-
selves ana surrounding Wa were. alter "a
iashon, too artificial Tor nature II ge had been less
professional aud hal known less OF our business 1t
would have been better, and really tnnN that clever
amateurs would have acquitted them 'rlves better
than dill. OR points &c Insd all 10 be lost ana
applause aud TAT gher were gained by trvalltIes ana
accidents foreign to the ordinary acton OF the piece.
think there more interest frlt by the audience
in our appearance libnut OH make up than IN our
acting In The matter of makeup Crane carried OIL
the chief honor. lie had been yachting aud his face
was amount OF grease paint rou d have
made 1t. lie had got hi, costume too, from Boston
cOstumer ana ! tn nix h. wig vas the wlsglest nave
lis indeed a grew-onc ssht As 10
my appearance and doiugs must IN mercy to
mvself be silent. However, II was very Jolly analt
and we hal any amount oil fun out vf IL but nj " 9
time ! must repeat that 1t Is more he sort OF
IA III my opinion tor amateurs TO take uf IMAM pro-
Talking OF Mr. Booth and Mr.. Barretts season, Mr..
Robson said " think IL will 30 the most successful
engagement played IN this country ana theGe Is
no doubt that from the pecunarJ point OF view the
return will be marveilens last season NE lohowed
Mr.. Booth in many cities and lad 1t one time IN 'de
up minds that he would crush oar two poor selves
OF sight In fact really tried 10 give up those
dates hich brought us into contact with biiD. lho
local Managers would not have II. and as u
turned out. good thing tor US that they held
10 bargain. Wepisycd only Shakespeare anu
'She Stops Conquer where we followed MAJ
and we found the interest he had excited in tie
her order OF draa caused receipts TO he vastly
higher than they wolld pave been under ordinary
circum stances. Talking OF the pecbniary value OF
SIR Booths last season. hss /; struck you that he
actually ide more a. profits in those lev onihs
than Gbrrick retired after lie OF labcrf 80 You
See thst though not In tho palm, days OF the
drama, so-cllled gcaus u still appreciated - some
slight extent"
Spcaklng of the younger actors OF the day. Mr Rob
son referroi 10 Mr.. Mansfield. OF yhom be SPOKE IN
terms OF tho hI hest cOmmendatiOn Z" Jaw stray
paragraph" said he. some tine ago in Boston
paper IN which the writer asserted that hanshed anu
hs work were not appreciated by hts fellow ac'ors
Ihis | think n great mistake. | have heard many
actors speak of MN but have vet To hear one VINO
does not give hun credit for extraordinary talent.
nave oniy him yseii in one piece. but IN thlt
cav him do things TIN no one else know OF eOuln
10 and I at onee set him down a man destined 10
one 10 the front. His last performance seems 10
have excited more than ordinary interest.